THE LONGEVITY OF CERAMIC VENEERS: CLINICAL EVALUATION OF MECHANICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND ESTHETIC PERFORMANCES OF CERAMIC VENEERS UP TO 7-YEARS RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the longevity and mechanical, biological and aesthetic performance of ceramic veneers placed after 5 to 7 years in service. Materials and Methods: Ceramic veneer restorations were clinically examined following modified from the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria. Clinical evaluation was performed by two clinicians regarding mechanical, biological and aesthetic performances during maintenance appointments between September 2016 and August 2017. Intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability were evaluated by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient and inter-examiner calibration. The results were analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival estimation method and log-rank test at a 95% confidence level. Results: One hundred and sixty-three veneers were placed in 26 patients with mean clinical service of 68.1 ± 0.66 months. Overall survival rate of the veneer restoration was 97.5% with 2.5% (4 veneers) presenting clinically unacceptable problems such as fracture and debonding. The aesthetic parameter was rated as excellent by 99.4% (n = 162). Caries was not detected in any teeth. Radiographic examination determined the development of a periapical lesion in one patient after veneer placement. Most patients were comfortable with the restoration and satisfied with the aesthetic results. Conclusion: Ceramic veneers demonstrated a high survival rate with most failure cases resulting from fracture and debonding.